Only 30% of Farmers Use Certified Seeds, Posing Challenge to Food Self-Sufficiency

The use of certified high-quality seeds among Indonesian farmers currently stands at only 30%, a figure considered far from sufficient to support the country’s drive for food self-sufficiency and national food security. Certified seeds are crucial for increasing agricultural production, alongside other key factors such as water and soil quality, as they ensure the seeds’ ability to adapt to various changes in ecosystem conditions.

Herman Khaeron, Chairman of the Indonesian Seed and Breeding Society (MPPI), emphasised the importance of certified seeds in boosting agricultural output. He noted that the current low adoption rate could be increased through government policies that encourage farmers to use certified seeds. Additionally, he highlighted the need for more equitable seed distribution so that farmers across the country can readily access them.